Graduation - For Apostles ?

We attended a friend's college graduation this month. Mixed in with commencement advice and inspiration was caution and concern for the economy, culture and geo-political balance. There was also some humor about "moving out of the house" for which parents chuckled.

One of the dad's at my next bible study also picked up this graduation theme. He noted that Jesus 11 apostles were facing this same precarious nest-leaving situation. They'd had excellent training and even completed some "internship work" as Jesus sent them out to neighboring villages on their own. (See Luke, Chapters 9 and 10)

But, soon after his resurrection from the grave, Jesus again departed - before their eyes - for heaven.

"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Acts 1: 7-8

No commencement address or doctoral thesis could have prepared them for the combined shock of loss and realization that they were stepping from follower to leader - in one instant. But they were not merely trained and prepared. Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit - a Counselor and Advocate.  So they were never truly alone, even as they did venture to the ends of the earth, sharing the Good News as they had been instructed.

Wouldn't it be nice if, as parents, we could send along an infinitely wise counselor and advocate to guide and advise our children after they graduate and leave home? A compassionate and kind-hearted companion for the journey? To be there, when we are not (when there's no cell phone access?)

I'm convinced that any parent aware of this opportunity would send letters, stand in line, and yes, sacrifice personal comfort in order to ensure their child access to this resource. Even if it was the last thing they did before seeing them on their way after graduation.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do  not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

Introduce them to Jesus, before they hit the road.

 What do you believe?

Memorial Day - My Namesake Hero

I listened to a couple of old Navy Vets swap stories over the Memorial Day weekend.

These 80-somethings can still describe, in crisp detail, the intricacies of photo-mapping a battlefield while accounting for the cross wind drift of their Navy propellor craft.

Their personal paths to the 1940's Pensacola Navy photo school could not have been more different - or more similar.

Different, because while Jerry was finishing high school and hanging out with his girlfriend on the weekends, Tom was finishing high school far from his boyhood California home, interred in a Denver Nisei camp for Japanese Americans.

Similar, because they both loved their country and were prone to build loyal, lasting friendships with people who counted.  Jerry saw only a new friend, who happened to have Japanese heritage, and Tom saw only a new friend, not a representative of the people who wrongly mistreated his family.

After cementing that Navy friendship, they've never lost touch, whether months or years have passed. They've fished together, celebrated holidays together, and taken joy in each other's children and grandchildren.

When Jerry and his young wife had a son, they named him Tom. Not Thomas, lest their intention be confused with the apostle's name.  No, it was Tom, so it was clear to everyone for whom they had named their son.

I've always known him as my Uncle Tom. When you're little, it doesn't occur to you that Uncle's are usually related by blood. But my Uncle Tom may just as well have been. He was, and is, family to all of us, along with Aunt Pat and the kids.

Over the years Uncle Tom and I have shared something else, even more special than our name. We've also shared our love of the Gospel, and the Good News of Jesus. You see, my Uncle Tom isn't just a good man and a good friend, he is a man of God. He personifies for me what I wish all people would recognize in a Christian walk - kindness, compassion, peace and forgiveness.

Uncle Tom knows what it means to forgive - and I know what if means to see Christ in another person's life.

I can't count how many times I've had to correct people when they write my name on an official document.

"It's not Thomas, it's Tom."

I was named for my Dad's friend Tom.  When I grow up, I would be honored to be just like him.

What do you believe?

Planets Reflect the Light

We've talked about buying a telescope for years and years, and finally did so this spring.

I'm looking forward to a warm summer's evening and a starry, starry night.

Searching the internet for astronomy sites and insights, I tried the keywords "planets," "reflect" and "light" in different combinations.

I was surprised to come across a number of sermon topics related to this theme:

Think of Jesus as the Sun. Then whenever you are able to see and appreciate the beauty of the planets or moons in our solar system, they are not emitting their own light, they are reflecting the light of the Sun.

Jesus said,

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

It's a good reminder to me, humbling, that I am not the light. I walk in the light. I reflect the light of love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness and mercy -- when I am in view of the Son.  But as soon as I stray from the Light of Jesus, it's easy to stumble or lose my way.

I'll consider this new perspective when I look through our telescope on a starry, starry night!

What do you believe?